More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)

co-respondents

(short for co-respondent's shoes)Term in the 1930s for men's shoes in two tones of leather, one of them white or cream. A co-respondent was the third party cited in a divorce case; the wife being divorced was the respondent to the charge, and her lover the co-respondent. A similar implication was later attached to *brothel-creepers, footwear apparently being a prime indication of moral turpitude.